One of the issues that plays an unspoken role is all this current discord is a basic one that is a large part of our national identity- the American Dream, the desire to ‘be somebody’. While at the best of circumstances, this can be a wonderful thing that drives a few individuals to achieve things that benefit all mankind, this is often not the case and certainly not in mass quantities.
There is no room at the top for everyone. The rest of the pyramid has to be populated by people too. And 99% of the time the actions a person has to take to get there aren t very nice. They look down from the top and classify anything less as mediocrity; Madison Avenue and Hollywood have done a very good job at this. But no one questions that definition of mediocrity or that the ones at the top have created that definition of mediocrity to justify the actions they took and how they lost themselves along the way to the top.
People need to stop looking outside themselves, stop trying to ‘be SOMEbody’ and just be themselves. In a pyramid, yes the view from the top might be nice, but every block is needed, even the ones at the bottom that hold the load. They provide the foundation that holds the pyramid up, and even if they are in the interior and are never seen by the outside, their contributions remain and are just as valid. That makes them somebody too, even if it does not fit the definition of the day of what ‘somebody’ looks like or does. Everyone is ‘somebody’ to someone else; a child, a parent, a spouse, a friend. Let go of it all and be who you are, be happy being a ‘nobody.’ You will still be in the same place as you were trying to be ‘somebody,’ but boy, will you be a lot happier and able to help others to be a lot happier.
If everyone stopped clamoring for attention, aspiring to the same top rungs, believing the hype that if you are not at the top that you have no worth or merit and to look around to see the good that can be done by just being who they are in the place where they are’¦.the infighting could stop. Think about the good that can be done, how great our country would be, if instead of directing our efforts at fighting with each other, we worked together.
I m sure that some will read this and say that I am condoning and promoting mediocrity. My response is SO WHAT. If I can make a difference, in even a small way, and bring positive change into the world, whether my acts fall within their definition of mediocrity or not doesn t really matter, does it?
Just some food for thought’¦..
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Since you talk about the “have nots’ I am pointing out what is available to them from the Government already. Don’t distract from the point that “Personal Responsibility” and accecss to betting themselves is available to them. We all make choices in our lives, and those in need have programs both local and federal to help them already. There is also private charaties that help. It sounds as if you would rather they be down trodden than lifted up? Again, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.
Excuse me, but I don’t believe I mentioned government programs or the role of government at all in my comments or in my post. If you read them both, it is a call to SOCIETY. I have made this kind of open call to American society before.
If you wish to make comments, please make sure your comments are actually in reference to something in the post.
Just a random question. A chat amongst yourselves topic if you will. (I like questions they are how we learn). If the government hands these “less than(s)”, as Laura puts it, an opportunity or a social program what incentive do these “less than(s)” have to better themselves?
Now I am not saying that people don’t need help. There are job training seminars at ALL unemployment offices that are open to the public for free. I know, I recently was mandatorily required to attend one while receiving unemployment several months ago. There are also free classes available at most adult centers to further a career beyond Burger King, or trash collector. Valuable as those positions may be, the young, “up and comers” would be willing to fill on their way to the top as you state. We all have to start some where.
So my questions is where is the incentive for these “less than(s)” to better themselves or their situation? If we GIVE them something for nothing how do they learn the value of ownership and personal responsibility? Which I might add is what this country was founded on a long time ago by 56 very intelligent people.
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a life time.
I kThe world is not balck and white (no pun intended), but shades of grey. Just because I do not agree with you does not mean that I am automatically at the other end of the spectrum. I too believe in freedom, but I am open minded enough to admit that there may be other alternatives to representative democracy that have merit as well, even though I prefer democracy. No system of government, even if perfect in theory, can be perfect in practice because we are imperfect. If it helps you to pigeonhole me, then do so. Whatever. But it doesn’t change things and it doesn’t address the issues or solve them.
My article was questioning the definition of “somebody” and that the current materialist definition is not useful or beneficial to society or its long term health. It serves to disenfranchise people who are not at the top and since there’s only room for a very few at the top, that means it disenfranchises nearly everybody. When the vast majority of people in a democracy, which is supposed to value the rights of everyone, feel disenfranchised, they start looking around for a way that lifts them up. There’s where the motivation for socialism and communism begins.
Keep telling or implying the people who are not at the top are “less than” or not worthy. You’ll get the socialist or communist state that you so deparately fear, at best. At worst, you will get anarchy and a people who are determined to take what they want at any cost because they have nothing to lose. Your choice.
I don’t want that to happen, despite what you think. Democracy in this country is one man, one vote- recognizing a certain level of equality. Think about the message you send when you raise up a few by pushing down many.
Well then, pass out the pot and the Castro / Che posters.
The American dream is to own your own home and be the best you can be. Not to walk over the dead bodies of associates on the way to the top of the pyramid.
Americans who love this experiment in self determination and individual responsability, are at odds with the liberal, let the government do it for you crowd.
As a prolific writer, do you set your sights low, as not to enter the race of the pyramid keepers, or do you work hard to influence as many as you can and be noticed while you work on your novel and eye that associate editors chair at the Communist Daily.